Former NBA greats hoop it up with Newtown youngsters

Richard Gregory

Updated 11:31 pm, Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Several former NBA players hosted a basketball clinic at Treadwell Park in Newtown for children participating in the Park and Recreation camp. Pictured here is Dwight Davis who formerly played with the Cavaliers.
August 6, 2013
Photo: Lisa Weir

Several former NBA players hosted a basketball clinic at Treadwell...

Albert King who formerly played with the Nets gives Claudia Sorrentino, 9, of Newtown a high five during a clinic at Newtown's Treadwell Park on Tuesday August 6, 2013.
Photo: Lisa Weir

Albert King who formerly played with the Nets gives Claudia...

Nate "Tiny" Archibald, who formerly played with the Celtics and Kings, gives instructions to Newtown children at a basketball clinic that was held in Newtown's Treadwell Park on Tuesday August 6, 2013.
Photo: Lisa Weir

Nate "Tiny" Archibald, who formerly played with the Celtics and...

Bob Elliott who formerly played with the Nets, gives instructions to Newtown children at a basketball clinic that was held in Newtown's Treadwell Park on Tuesday August 6, 2013.
Photo: Lisa Weir

Bob Elliott who formerly played with the Nets, gives instructions...

Tom Hoover, who formerly played with the Knicks, gives instructions to Brady Fodor,8, of Newtown at a basketball clinic that was held in Newtown's Treadwell Park on Tuesday August 6, 2013.
Photo: Lisa Weir

Tom Hoover, who formerly played with the Knicks, gives instructions...

Tom Hoover, who formerly played with the Knicks, gives instructions to Lucia Carnes,8, of Newtown at a basketball clinic that was held in Newtown's Treadwell Park on Tuesday August 6, 2013.

Photo: Lisa Weir

Tom Hoover, who formerly played with the Knicks, gives instructions...

Archibald and several other basketball greats were in town on Tuesday as the National Basketball Retired Players Association conducted basketball and life-skills clinics for the day-campers. One session was held at Treadwell Park in the morning, and another was held at Dickinson Park in the afternoon.

It was a beautiful day to play basketball outside -- and share some positive reinforcement and fun with several hundred elementary-school-aged kids.

"The game is good, but since I don't play anymore, I love teaching and I love coaching," the 64-year-old Archibald said. "These are the kids that I enjoy being with because they were like me. I knew nothing about the game and somebody taught me and mentored me, got me through school and got me doing a lot of positive things."

Somebody obviously taught him pretty well, too. Archibald was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. His 14-year professional career began with the Cincinnati Royals and included an NBA title with the Boston Celtics. He scored 16,481 points and distributed 6,476 assists in his career, averaging 18.8 points and 7.4 assists.

In addition to running the campers from station to station to practice dribbling, shooting and other skills, the former pros offered some words of wisdom as well in a town still recovering from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings Dec. 14, 2012.

"Do not be discouraged, do not give up," former New York Knicks star Tom Hoover told the campers. "You will make it if you persevere."

More important than the basketball drills, however, were the smiles the youngsters displayed while doing them. Some kids did better than others at things like dribbling and shooting, but it doesn't matter. They were being active and having fun. That's what matters.

"It's just good to see them enjoying themselves while learning a sport," said Roseann Reggiano, the assistant director of recreation for Newtown Parks and Recreation. "Some of them probably never even bounced a basketball before. It's great. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way."